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Cervical epidural steroid inject is a procedure where steroid medication is directly injected into the back of the neck, in order to relieve neck pain or arm pain.
How is Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection Performed?
After administering local anesthesia, x-ray guidance is used to guide a specially designed needle into the back of the neck, into the epidural space that surrounds the spinal cord and nerve roots. A small amount of x-ray dye is usually then injected to confirm the needle is appropriately placed. Steroid medication is then injected. It is not uncommon for several days to pass before the medication takes effect. The procedure typically takes about 10 minutes.
What happens the day of the procedure?
This procedure is done as an outpatient. You will be asked to arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled start time. You should take any usual medications the day of the procedure, with the exception of Coumadin, Plavix and aspirin. Often, you will be asked to discontinue Coumadin or Plavix for several days prior to the procedure. These instructions are available through your referring doctor. . Someone must accompany you to drive you home.
Are there risks associated with cervical epidural steroid injection?
There is a very small risk of bleeding or infection resulting from the procedure. There is also a very small risk of allergic reaction to the injected x-ray dye or medication.